Used 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Crew Cab

Heavy-duty hauling and towing require a heavy-duty pickup, and the 2017 GMC Sierra HD is plenty capable of performing both, while also giving those inside a refined experience. A revamped Duramax diesel with 910 lb-ft of torque gives the Sierra HD serious bragging rights, and the new off-road All Terrain X model joins the lineup. More stylish than the Ford F-250 and slightly more upscale than its Chevy Silverado sibling, the Sierra Denali HD is for the person who may own the work site, but occasionally needs to get his or her hands dirty. Available in 2500 and 3500 models, the 2017 Sierra HD offers a 360-horsepower gasoline or 445-horsepower diesel V8, plus a wide range of cab, bed and interior configurations.

While the 2017 GMC Sierra HD is at its best when towing trailers or hauling dirt, we spent a good portion of our time with it covering long stretches of highway. Although its obvious bulk is apparent, the Sierra HD was surprisingly comfortable, with a spacious, quiet cabin and just about every imaginable luxury feature at our fingertips. The Duramax diesel is impressively powerful and revisions to the design make it more quiet and refined than the previous version. When we did get some seat time with a 5th-wheel trailer in tow, the Sierra lived up to all the promises made by our GMC rep. Towing a 10,000-pound trailer up to a 6,000-foot elevation proved child’s play for the Duramax. Trailer-sway control kept wag to a minimum, and the diesel exhaust brake and trusty 6-speed Allison transmission insured a drama-free descent.

Major styling points go to GMC’s 2017 Sierra HD pickup’s interior. The base model brings basic amenities like a front split-bench seat, air conditioning, and power windows and locks. Move up to the SLE and you’ll get features like a leather steering wheel and rubberized vinyl floor mats. The top-tier SLT trim offers everything mentioned plus dual-zone climate control, a high-capacity air cleaner, and a suspension package. Then there’s the Denali trim, which is GMC’s halo trim across the board. It brings things like contrast stitching, perforated leather seats, a heated steering wheel and aluminum trim on the instrument panel.

Besides the interior, GMC’s 2017 Sierra HD’s exterior styling is a major game-changer, especially its massive chrome grille and prominent new hood scoop. Like the interior, the exterior styling of the Sierra HD closely reflects that of its light-duty offering. HID headlights with LED running lights, a CornerStep rear bumper, and a raised power-dome hood further distinguish the Sierra HD. Regular-cab 2500 and 3500 models are affixed to an 8-foot bed, as is the 3500 crew cab. The double-cab models can be optioned with an 8-foot or 6-foot 6-inch bed. Dual rear wheels are exclusive to the 3500.

INTERIOR
GMC has done its homework, creating a cab that is both pleasing to the eye and highly functional. From the rubberized switchgear to the large gauges to the comfortable seats, GMC’s 2017 Sierra HD puts the driver’s needs first and foremost.

6.6-LITER DURAMAX ENGINE
GM’s 6.6-liter Duramax diesel receives a number of enhancements this year including a new air-induction system, stronger cylinder block and heads and a new electronically controlled turbocharging system. Output increases to 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque, and the engine is now B20-compatible.

With the base Sierra HD truck, you get a robust V8 engine, anti-lock disc brakes, air conditioning and stability control. An automatic locking rear differential is also standard on all Sierra HD trucks with the exception of the 2500 HD base model. Climbing up the trim ladder brings you leather seats, steering-wheel-mounted controls and Bluetooth. Both Sierra 2500 and 3500 HD models equipped with a Duramax engine also get an electric-assist heater, which helps to warm the cabin quickly. The All Terrain X adds 18-inch black-painted wheels, Z71 off-road suspension, skidplates and an Eaton automatic locking rear differential.

The 6.6-liter V8 Duramax turbodiesel engine is, without question, the option to get when outfitting your 2017 Sierra 2500 or 3500 HD. Going with the Duramax engine and 4-wheel drive automatically grants an extra measure of confidence when towing, especially on unpaved roads. Other notable options for the 2500 and 3500 truck include a touch-screen navigation system, an EZ-Lift tailgate, and a snowplow prep package. Certain double cabs and crew cab trims can be equipped with GMC’s Digital Power Assist power steering. The DPA system improves stability and steering feel, helping to make hauling and trailering less stressful.

A 6.0-liter V8 gasoline engine or a 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 engine provide power to the 2017 GMC Sierra HD. A 6.0-liter V8 powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) is also available, if that’s how you roll. Rated at 360 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, the gasoline engine is stout in its own right, but the Duramax diesel is the real star of the show. Power numbers for the 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 check in at 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of twist. The Duramax engine also brings an exhaust-braking system that helps keep the Sierra HD’s speed in check going downhill. A 6-speed automatic transmission reports for duty with either engine, but the Duramax gets the added shift-technology benefits of an Allison 6-speed automatic.

6.0-liter CNG V8
301 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
333 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

6.0-liter V8
360 horsepower @ 3,000 rpm
380 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

6.6-liter turbodiesel V8
445 horsepower @ 2,800 rpm
910 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: NA

Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions.